Uterine Cancer Rates on the Rise, Cancer Today, January 4, 2016

G. Larry Maxwell, a gynecologic oncologist at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, Virginia, whose research includes studies on racial disparities, agrees that biology could be a factor. “The aggressive tumors seen in African-American women seem to be more resistant to chemotherapy,” says Maxwell, “and they appear to have differences in response to treatment.” He noted that there may also be social or cultural factors unique to African-American women that contribute to the types of tumors they develop.

Maxwell says all women should talk to their doctors about what they can do to reduce their risk of endometrial cancer through diet, exercise and stress reduction. There is no screening test for endometrial cancer, so if women have symptoms of the disease, Maxwell says, “they need to see a gynecologist immediately.” Read more.